further in considering less-tested CAM treatments, when better-tested treatments have not
worked well enough to promote recovery.
The clinical insights described by Brown et al. are an invaluable adjunct to academic studies and
point the way to future studies that may expand on the material medica described in this
outline. However, MHA’s focus is on comparative evaluations of those CAM treatments that
have been evaluated by multiple sources. Clinical experience is not often documented in the
comprehensive way undertaken by Brown et al., and is best studied by reading this important
book and Brown and Gerbarg’s related work directly.
Whenever possible, this outline, unlike a package insert for a prescription drug, will attempt to
give a survey of the evidence for and against each proposed CAM treatment. Side effects and
drug interactions will be discussed, based on clinical practice and the evidence from the
available trials. A long list of potential side effects and potential drug interactions is inevitable,
but aside from drug interactions assessed by prescribing physicians, such lists are seldom read
and routinely ignored. The challenge for the consumer is the estimation of risk and benefit. This
outline will give the sources’ evaluations whenever possible, or those of peer reviewers, when
the concern is likely more theoretical than real, as is often the case with the potential concerns
raised by the Natural Standard. This is the information most conspicuously missing from
prescription package inserts, driven in part by liability concerns.
CAUTION IS IN ORDER. What is unproven today may be proven tomorrow, and vice-versa.
This is an outline of CURRENTLY AVAILABLE EVIDENCE, AS OF THE END OF 2012, and it
documents disagreements which should be resolved in time. There are many potentially
beneficial CAM treatments for which more evidence is needed. However, when the risks are
low, practitioners and consumers may choose to do a trial of such treatments while further
information is being developed. WE STILL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN.
It may be helpful to add an observation about AUTONOMY AND HOPE. In the American model
of CAM, the consumer has complete autonomy in selecting nutritional supplements and can try
even dangerous supplements without a prescription. This autonomy means that only the
consumer’s own knowledge and tolerance for risk informs the decision about which